James Marcus (Jim) Jackson, 94, passed away on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 53 years, Mary Grace Curtis Jackson. He is survived by his sons, Mark Curtis (Rhonda) and James Christopher Jackson (Teri); five grandchildren, Lauren Michelle, Jordan Elizabeth, James Samuel Jackson and Jonathan Alan (Sidney) Prince and Olivia Dawn (John) Baggett and two great-grandchildren Oliver Alan Prince and Jackson Thomas Baggett.
He was born on January 22, 1926 in Selma, AL to James Franklin Jackson and Jennie Laura Rikard Jackson. He was the youngest male of eight children and enlisted in the US Navy in July of 1944. He served in World War II as an Electrician’s Mate 3rd class. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Medal and the Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged in April 1946. He attended Auburn University (then Alabama Polytechnic Institute) and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering.
Upon graduation from Auburn, he worked in Knoxville, TN for the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). He then moved to Huntsville, AL in 1958 to work for the Army Ballistic Missile Agency, which later became NASA in 1960, serving as an engineer supporting the early Apollo Missions. He continued his work with NASA until his retirement.
A private memorial service will be held at New Live Oak Cemetery in Selma with Dr. Jerry W. Light, Sr., Pastor of First Baptist Church officiating. Pallbearers will be Mark Jackson, Chris Jackson, Sam Jackson, Jonathan Prince, John Baggett and David Moore.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the First United Methodist Church in Huntsville, AL.
